John Virgo Snooker Impersonations (BBC 1984)

[@dennisstallard6457]

40 years old and still as fresh today , well done John .

[@rjjcms1]

He borrowed the pair of glasses from Elton John. Brilliant capture of many of the players' mannerisms though he really needed something a glass of stronger than water handy for Higgins,especially if he'd also done Bill Werbeniuk. This is a reprise of a similar montage of impressions he did as hilariously at the World Championship two or three years previously that we watched on TV and rolled around laughing at. Though that one was before Dennis Taylor started (at the 1983 World Championship,when David Vine introduced coverage of his first round rematch against Silvino Francisco as featuring "a new-look Dennis Taylor") wearing his trademark goggles,Virgo left doing the Hurricane until last that time too,introducing him as "the one and only Mr Higgins",and also did an impression of Cliff Thorburn in which I seem to remember he stopped to look round at the audience over his shoulder,almost suspiciously,while - taking ages,naturally - down on the shot.

[@Anthony-t7f7r]

I wish the BBC would repeat big break episodes or pot black as memories xxxlol all the best ❤❤❤

[@antonioercolino6087]

John Virgo and all those brilliant snooker players he impersonated had character. Today there are no characters. 😢

[@manygate10]

Only Ronnie

[@ingeniousbraveheart]

100 % true it is the same in any sport they are taught by Robots play and speak like Robots bloody boring bring back the one off characters

[@eyebrowman1]

Virgo is a great commentator, Plus he's the only one who gets excited at crucial moments.

[@SamiMitchell-y3c]

just watched it again 40 years later all great alex was amazing

[@iangaskins173]

Absolutely brilliant, remember this from when it happened. This was the golden era of snooker. Sad that these characters don't exist anymore, but far sadder is the fact we can't take the piss out of the foibles of anyone anymore.

[@oldskoolfool141]

This is why I get annoyed when I see him getting grief in the comments as they don't realise how much this man has brought to the game, they just hear an old guy with catchphrases but we remember all this stuff, long live JV

[@rorykelly8275]

I met JV in Bodmin Cornwall here during a Ronnie exhibition, it was like talking to ya mate after a game. Ronnie (On the other hand) was looking down on people like rubbish. Mechala Tabb was proper down to earth also, sat and had a half hour convo with me.

[@SawItComingNot]

I totally agree my friend.

[@alienxna6511]

Remember watching this live at the time. One of my most favourite TV moments ever and encapsulates a time when you could really have a laugh without offending, as seems the case today with today's fickle society. Times weren't always easy in the '80's but folk had a backbone and just got on with stuff and each other. I would love to take my grown up kids back to these days to show how warped today is. Thank you for posting .. made my day.

[@SamiMitchell-y3c]

yep me too

[@joshhodkinson9305]

John actually did a Peter Ebdon impression too....he just finished it last week.

[@camillapriest843]

not very realistic but entertaining

[@camillapriest843]

Terry Griffiths rather modest success

[@markunsworth2993]

Brilliant 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@kevanbrown7620]

Great comment 👍

[@rjjcms1]

But he had to delay starting it until he finished the Cliff Thorburn impersonation.

[@beesnees3758]

That Higgins impersonation was ' inch perfect '.

[@cardigan3000]

he got all his mannerisms spot on but couldnt say his name right -odd

[@maxington26]

@@cardigan3000 not that odd, just a slight flub under live pressure

[@rleriche5044]

@@cardigan3000 He said Alex Higgins didnt he?

[@cardigan3000]

@@rleriche5044 "alec"

[@rleriche5044]

@@cardigan3000 oh I didnt catch that but it is odd when people use the 'c' instead of the 'x'. John and Alex were friends as far as I know.

[@Hellndegenerates]

The Alex Higgins impression, when he taps the cue and the head turns 😂

[@paulbentley2709]

The Alex Higgins brisk walk and cue tap... Brilliant.

[@oldskoolfool141]

Still makes me laugh out loud

[@chrisevans5259]

As you get older the more you look back with fondness...I remember the 1980s being a booming decade for the popularity of snooker,..it really was a mixture of authodox....Steve Davis, Thorburn, Griffiths , Reardon and Spencer.....the robust unpredictable.....Alex Higgins, Jimmy White .....and have snooker arguably its finest hour .....1985 world final,...Dennis Taylors dramatic final black decider against the seemingly invincible dominant force of the1980s Steve Davis..to win the title.......yes the 80s was a golden era in snooker ....and I look back with great fondness when snooker was the top dog on our tellys, and have us some great memories.

[@matimus100]

Well snookers definitely not a sport it's a game of skill control and patience

[@witneywoo]

Virgo does this brilliantly, shame no real characters today !

[@thesoultwins72]

@@witneywoo ....please read my comment above - bloody great bloke!

[@jamsheadaziz3999]

You forgot to mention probably the most significant upset in snooker when in 1982 Tony Knowles, in his first world championship knocked out the current champion Steve Davis, 10-1. We had characters in snooker.

[@mrmethane10]

1982 - The "I love me" knocks out Mr Smarmy.

[@purpleslug7187]

I watched this live with my dad. Just like the crowd, we roared when he did the Higgins walk to the table. Pure genius.

[@robparker1625]

Me too. Remember it well.

[@Simon_PieMan]

Ditto 🙂

[@danielrogers2943]

Best times in snooker , too serious nowadays

[@kimjong-uncrazyguy1603]

Golden age of snooker. No doubt.

[@tommysmith5479]

Absolutely superb. I remember it very well... they are all brilliant impressions but there's no denying the Alex Higgins is by far the most funny of them all.

[@hazelwalsh3269]

Brings back memories! Loved John Virgo! What a character! He got everyone spot on!!

[@1414yorks]

Or rather "inch perfick"!!!

[@bigteno4597]

I was there! Had everyone in stitches and John could play the game. He was UK Champion too, Great memories.

[@joshuameighan344]

Oh my God where did those years go its frightening

[@MOGGS1942]

Those were the days. Brilliant impersonations by the great J.V.

[@flyboy2880]

Had forgotten how good Virgo was,brilliant.

[@antoniaburns3522]

40 years later and I am still shaking with laughter.What a genius. Perfect. 😂

[@Yagdrol]

Snooker in the 80s was the golden age, it was full of characters. So many people watched it on TV. Many of us had black and white Tvs too. John reached top ten in the world which is incredible. For me, it will always be Alex Higgins, Jimmy White and Ronnie O'Sullivan as the most entertaining of all time.

[@oscoe]

You got that right. The game was much more entertaining then

[@johngumbar5762]

Remember watching this live back in the day......... I'm 52 now...... Time just ABSOLUTELY flys.......

[@MrAmaxoxo]

Amongst all the drama, the cash & the betting, this is a breath of fresh air. Thanks so much Mr. Virgo

[@paulamon8818]

John Virgo am absolute gent and nice guy I met him once.

[@eightiesboy]

As a young boy the half time entertainment was always something to look forward to - either trick shots or impersonations. Brilliant stuff by Virgo.

[@Broken-Silencer]

Same. Spot on wasn't it?

[@eightiesboy]

@@Broken-Silencer It was the best part of the final. Especially if Davis or Thorburn were playing. :) :)

[@bannjaxx]

If I remember, it was if a session finished early or if they never got to a final session if one player ran away with it, they'd send Virgo out to do trick shots and impressions, better than the actual snooker in most cases.

[@Rambo9700]

Yeah I remember seeing Virgo doing impressions during a championship. Ah memories.

[@PB-mo1fs]

What a fantastic natural comedian JV is. Brilliant physical comedy.

[@Jefferson1969-u4s]

The legend that is John Virgo. From my home city of Salford!

[@karltaylor7378]

He played the shots the professionals couldn't achieve. He was snoockers perfectionist for sure

[@MrMagsimus]

Lol I always love this performance, John Virgo very underrated guy , wasn’t the most magnificent player but he supported and promoted the game in a big way, his commentaries are great and he always made us smile 😊, so a big respect to you John and thanks 👍❤️👌

[@johnjoyce341]

He did win the UK in 1979 so he wasn't too bad a player

[@marasmusine]

@@johnjoyce341 He was also a household name in the 90s thanks to the Big Break gameshow.

[@kamrankerim636]

Alex Higgins impersonation is legendary :D

[@antoniaburns3522]

Just watched this yet again. If Mr. Virgo hadn't been a snooker player, he would have been a fantastic impersonator.😊

[@pwareham61]

Brilliant, used to love JVs impression's, hilarious stuff. His trick shots were pretty good too.

[@paalnordland8005]

This is in fact a masterpiece! What an entertainer! Respect!

[@robertcotgrave5920]

Wonderful man!!!. Very talented. High on my bucket list of people I'd love to meet.

[@andycampsall3832]

Never seen this before 2019 love John Virgo so funny 😂😂

[@graemeglasgow4596]

This never gets old :-)

[@SMPfilmfan]

Lol he looks like he’s been 50 for the last 35 years

[@mrloop1530]

😂 Thanks for the laugh

[@colinjava8447]

But that's good, he's barely aging

[@mariaefelices6543]

Alex Higgins got my chuckle the mannerisms brilliant ty ms cdf vor

[@graemepitt6378]

takes me back remember watching this at the time. where has 34 years gone

[@philhewitt5069]

scary stuff.

[@ayubmakda]

I was waiting for the Alex Higgins one, he HAD to be on!! Lol 😂😅

[@michaeluden7131]

Absolutely brilliant, love JV. If he hadn't been in snooker he could have been a comedian, grew up watching big break. What a legend

[@judex3226]

Oh dear I remember watching this at the time as a teenager of 15. I can’t believe almost 40 years have gone by so quickly. I recall thinking John Virgo looked old but now when I watched it I thought he looked young! I’m getting old…

[@Somnogenesis]

Haha, yes I thought the same when I was about 15, when I was watching him in that sort of co-host role he had on _Big Break_ in the mid-'90s; it's surreal that another 30 or so years have gone by and he hasn't really aged that much more. The fact that he had the beard and grey in his hair even back in 1984 is quite telling though -- he seems to have born aged about 45!

[@michaelholt7963]

Yeh remember those days well, even if one of your work mates was 30 they were deemed as old

[@davidedge6512]

Absolutely Bloomin’ Marvellous!

[@paulhoey2956]

John Virgo is a Great entertainer and to think the BBC were going to get rid of him

[@steviegrant2410]

Legend John! Bring it back! Loved it on finals night

[@geoffjoffy]

It's still funny after all these years.

[@bridgetdoman1386]

39 now.

[@VilhelmHammershoi1666]

Are you not entertained yes john we were thanks for the memories

[@nervo6321]

Bloody funny..... Alex Higgins one always cracks me up....

[@chrisN3646]

Never get fed up of watching this, so funny.

[@grantross2609]

vividly remember watching this at the time and it really never does get old !

[@WolfieRich1]

John is a very gifted and very underestimated entertainer.

[@martm216]

Well said.

[@theradgegadgie6352]

Pot as many balls as you can.

[@LA.Guitar]

Jim Davidson and JV on Saturday night TV….. those were the days

[@LA.Guitar]

“…..pot as many balls as you can…..”

[@markfox1545]

Who underestimates him? Was there a vote? Is there a chart somewhere? Or are you just an unoriginal wanker?

[@ravivarman2020]

Great upload. Brings back memories

[@kashattack]

Hard to believe there was a time that snooker players were celebrities and known to the general British public!

[@maxington26]

You mean when Barry Hearn was pushing the personalities thing down everyone's throats! Successfully, mind you. The game today is more fascinating than ever, and the level of talent is incredible.

[@digitaldips]

I remember watching this! John Virgo is a legend.

[@keithf_]

Haven't seen this in years. Still makes me laugh. Great stuff !

[@amitjadhav8298]

Alex Higgins was the best one ❤️

[@matthewgalley951]

Brilliant

[@shaunigothictv1003]

THAT ALEX HIGGINS IMPERSONATION WAS BRILLIANT!

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

But John, where's the cue ball goin'??

[@TBrl8]

Damn Hot Chick and that’s gone per-fect.

[@Lionboy2930]

Nice one !

[@theradgegadgie6352]

The Dennis Taylor one looks such a shadow of itself without the cue brandishing and the finger wagging. That'd take another year to mature. Lol

[@barryotoole6990]

Classic clip, i remember watching it live... 🙏

[@avidbrower]

He is still working on his impression of Terry Griffiths.

[@thesoultwins72]

30 years on - and this is still brilliant! I was privileged enough to see John in person in the late 1970's at the YMCA in Manchester [as he was just becoming really well-known]. He was coaching/supporting a young up-and-coming snooker star called Terry Fitzgerald - who everyone locally was tipping for the 'big time'. Unfortunately, Fitzgerald lost the 1-frame match when he missed a relatively simple blue. John took time out to chat with the audience, sign autographs and was a really friendly down-to-earth bloke. I don't know whatever happened to Terry Fitzgerald - he sort of disappeared off the snooker scene after that.

[@bridgetdoman1386]

I think you mean nearly 40 years on - 39 to be precise. As funny now as it was then/

[@thesoultwins72]

@@bridgetdoman1386 .....Yes apologies for my mistake!

[@oscoe]

Gosh it’s like the KZbin police have visited and extracted their neccesary apology, before moving on to the next victim!

[@TheGeorge1968]

Those were the days, so funny!!!

[@clairewatson9119]

Brilliant... Thankyou for sharing 🤗 x

[@samarthur1847]

I watched it live on TV, I remember cracking up at the Willie Thorne comment 😂

[@nemo5696]

He didn't have enough time for Cliff Thorburn.

[@Wally-H]

Or 'Steady' Eddie Charlton

[@yaqarm8822]

Back when comedy was comedy. Good clean fun. Genius.

[@philosopherman683]

exellant.. made me howl before my Sunday shift

[@afc358]

I can't help finding it hilarious that Virgo's only 'major' win, the 1979 UK Championship, was seen by no one because the BBC were on strike.

[@andrewmorton3344]

Is that true? Never knew that. I can't recall him mentioning it in commentary and makes me more like him as a commentator; but I already thought he was the best of the current BBC commentators.

[@davidcopson5800]

It's a wonder they weren't on strike again for these finals. Everyone else is!

[@pigger34]

​@andrewmorton3344 I think it was the final frame not the whole match that wasn't shown..

[@Anthony-t7f7r]

It is good to see him commentate to on snooker matches still keep up the good work all the best man ❤❤❤

[@tommcglone2867]

JV and his typically Mancunian (yes i know hes technically from Salford) sense of humour. Im a Manc and proud of it.

[@stevewhitaker1705]

John Virgo was brilliant

[@ahassen1236]

Loved every second thanks JV

[@Voxac100b]

Everyone to perfection! Brilliant

[@terryandrews9841]

I remember John doing this..Excellent

[@bannjaxx]

@6:57 someone in the crowd says "do John Virgo!" JV, quick as a flash goes "I did that the other night and got beat 10-9 by Willie Thorne!"

[@pollardmark]

Fantastic :-) love JV .. He was bang on Reardon .. The SNIFFER lol .. But Alex Higgins is Jokes lmao ;-)

[@trevorstern9772]

Remember watching this and laughing til I cried Still laugh now.

[@allanblakemore381]

Fantastic John

[@adriancooper554]

Just brilliant every time you watch them... Can't beat a bit of John virgo.... Where's the cue ball going...

[@seanatkinson770]

These days the nanny brigade would organise a protest against JV for doing a brilliant impersonation of the legendary 'Hurricane'

[@JongleurJ10]

Ha Alex Higgins at the end that was the one I was waiting for

[@stevelee4952]

The golden age of snooker

[@paulgriggs6236]

Loved it when John used to do this to keep the crowd entrained he was brilliant i wish he would do it these days i love his commentary to

[@thetruth156real3]

Bloody brilliant! You would only need to do one impression now a days, and it would cover the whole lot of the boring sods!

[@andrewmorton3344]

Your comment made me laugh, even though I'm not sure it is strictly true.

[@thetruth156real3]

@@andrewmorton3344 You don’t want to think it’s true, John Virgin and Steve Dreary don’t want to think it’s true but we all, deep down, know it’s true.

[@michaelbroderick527]

Thinking about it... You are spot on you made me laugh... Those were the days.

[@BuyOneGetOneFree]

We now have a new era of ultra-aggressive players such as Luca Brecel and Si... they make Ronnie look like Terry Griffiths!

[@thetruth156real3]

@@BuyOneGetOneFree These guys have played snooker since the age of three, they should be able to knock anything in but it’s become the norm to play like a twat, even Ronnie can spend hours tipping a ball against the green in the balk end. Cricket was the same, pissing about for days, England have now decided to play like we all advocated forty years ago and guess what? It’s working, enjoy the sport win or lose and make it entertaining. Trouble is you’ve got idiots who can watch Selby re racking for an entire session and love it. We will all be laughing at this style of play in ten years time, get rid of the old Dinosaurs and bring in the new, your right!

[@sparkymlarky]

The higgins impersonation has made me cry laughing.🤣

[@stuartwallace6154]

Thanks for sharing, oh the memories good stuff

[@LA.Guitar]

JV, what a legend. And also what a golden age of truly amazing snooker characters…… unfortunately not like today, where the game is dominated by loud-mouth fans who can’t keep quiet at The Crucible and a good number of players who get done for cheating and corruption

[@jaggass]

A snooker player that should have gone further.

[@philipjones9458]

Saw this live in the 80's in Wrexham.

[@SimonMiles-m8l]

Great stuff... The Higgins drunk walk.. classic..

[@CalumnMcAulay]

That Higgins impression was hilarious

[@MrBigj1970]

the ray reardon was spot on

[@Vamos1969]

If he did a Cliff Thorburn impression you'd be watching it for hours 😂

[@Wally-H]

There is another vid of him doing this a year or two later where he says "I was going to do Cliff but we haven't got time."

[@1212warisan]

Just a fantastic man JV What a gent, what a star!!

[@perryturnball8310]

Absolutely superb, and remember watching JV's impersonations so well from the 80s. The funny thing is that during matches, John was very serious and rarely smiled. As with all sports, the fun and charisma has been lost because of hardened professionalism and huge amounts of money, but those of us old enough to remember the snooker boom in the 80s, there were so many individual characters. Barry Hearn cleverly called the game at the time 'Coronation Street with balls' and he was dead right. There were certain players you liked or disliked, and the personalities of the players was just as important as the quality of the snooker itself.

[@normanrossall3898]

John Virgo was directly responsible for the demise of Mike Yawnwood.

[@SuperFerdie1965]

Mike Yarwood was a brilliant innovator in his day. Nice guy too.

[@itsayesfromme2669]

Great to see it again. Loved it then, love it now. What a sport !

[@JONESSTI01]

You understand the importance of new technologies (i.e wireless microphones)..... but JV is a great showman, and it's great to still hear his voice as a commentator

[@vutti2893]

A great showman, commentator and he could play snooker pretty well too 🤣